Social Anxiety on the Playground

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Anxious to get playing, my daughter quickly finished her cheeseburger before stashing her shoes in the little red cubby. I watched as she raced another little girl up the steps to the tunnel slide. My son watched with me, having finished his food a little bit ago. He sat as close as he could to me, practically in my lap.

A couple boys joined the play, and now there were four kids climbing the mini rock wall, zipping down the tunnel slide, laughing and enjoying the indoor play area.

My son continued to watch, inching ever closer to me. He loves slides, especially tunnel slides, but still he sat, frozen on my lap, all because there were other children playing there.

It’s not just when we are in those enclosed play areas, the same thing happens at outdoor playgrounds.

If I suggest going to the park, he’ll ask if we can go to his “favorite one,” a small community park we have actually NEVER seen anyone else at.

And it isn’t just at play areas.

I’ve taken him to the library for story time since he was six months old. When he started toddler time there, and all the other kids were jumping and giggling together, he stayed on my lap.

It took five years before he would sit on the brightly colored story rug, and then he sat as far away from the other kids as he could get.

He spent an entire year going to the preschool group at church on Sunday mornings, and NEVER spoke a word to another child there, nor did he participate in any of the singing activities they did. Not once.

It isn’t easy to be a parent and watch your child in those situations. And finding answers as to why he is so anxious around other children, when he can easily talk an adult’s ear off at the drop of a hat? We are still trying to unravel that one. (Related Post: Trusting My Instincts Got My Son Diagnosed.)

Easing Social Anxiety in Kids

Here are some of the ways that work for us when it comes to helping a child with social anxiety.

Prep him before the trip: Before we go somewhere we talk about where we are going and who we might see there. Having that time to prepare himself with whom we might see and talk to (like meeting friends on a homeschool field trip) really helps. Of course I can’t give him names of everyone who will be at the park, but I CAN let him know who we are meeting and planning to interact with.

Vestibular Input: Before we leave the house I also try to work in some type of vestibular input for him. Spinning in circles and swinging on the tire swing we have set up in the basement are two of his favorites.

Noise Cancelling Headphones:Noise Cancelling Headphones have been a big help. We have taken them to homeschool field trips, Vocation Bible School, and lots and lots of other places. I usually just let him know I have them and let him decide if/when he wears them. I have noticed it’s not always the loudest moments that he chooses to wear them, and that when we have plenty of vestibular input before hand he doesn’t seem to need them as much.

Crunchy Snacks/Gum: The past year or so I have noticed a growing tendency to chew/bite on toys or even the string from the waist of his sweatpants when we go places. The chewing seems to help him, so I have started to offer him a variety of crunchy snacks and even chewing gum in certain situations.

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Did you know that October is Sensory Processing Awareness month? This post is part of the Decoding Everyday Kid Behaviors series hosted by Lemon Lime Adventures. In honor of Sensory Processing Awareness month, bloggers are sharing their favorite tips that can help ALL children. Be sure to hop over to read all of this month’s awesome sensory-related posts!

And, with the goal of supporting the sensory systems of ALL children, be sure to check out the Sensory Fix Toolkit, which was created as a complete sensory processing kit in a backpack, including 15 tools to help manage auditory distractions, restlessness, and more! (I love the idea of having it all in one place, ready to grab as you go out the door!)

Comments

Have you taken him to a child behaviorist or psychiatrist? My son was an adult before I told him to go and be tested. I’m sorry I waited. His doctors through the years would just say he was shy or it was because he was an only child. Today he still suffers from Severe Social Anxiety.
Like your son, my son as a child had no problem relating to adults.
It sounds like you’re doing everything you can to help him but I understand so well your feelings in all this. Just know your acceptance of him as he is, is a great relief to him.

This must be hard for you AND him! We didn’t have this with either one of my daughters, I even had to contain them because they are too open and trusty and would jump in the arms of total strangers! Not sure which is worse these days… Hang on! 🙂Mihaela recently posted..5 EASY BOTTLE CAP BUSY BAGS FOR TINY TOTS

I think your tips are great! I have social anxiety and I know how important it is to even have someone who understands. By being patient with your son – and letting him do things in his own time – you are helping tremendously!Emma recently posted..Easy Mummy Craft

Very interesting that noise canceling earphones help him. I never travel without mine, and I’m an adult who doesn’t necessarily get anxious in social situations. But they ARE very calming! You have a lucky little boy who has a parent who is so tuned in to his particular needs:)Seana Turner recently posted..Organizing and TV Watching

We have gotten to the point that he doesn’t choose to use them as often now. But he does love to wear hooded shirts now — I think to drown out some of the noise and seeing so much out of the corners of his eyes.
I just am trying to be the mom he deserves, nothing more.